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It's the thrill of the hunt that moves them, these men, women and children. They move along the central Oregon coast with downcast, peering eyes – agate-hunters, ordinary folks who spend their evenings, weekends and vacations searching for semiprecious stones. The area around Depoe Bay is among the richest in agates on the West Coast, making it a good place to initiate yourself into this curiously addictive activity.

What are Agates?

Unlike rubies, diamonds and emeralds, agates wash up onto beaches in Northern California and Oregon, where they wait to be picked up by the lucky beachcomber who finds them. Agates form over many years as materials like quartz and moganite, by filling hollows in volcanic rocks. Agates always outlast their encasing rocks, and as the rock erodes, the rough, rounded agate is released and washes up on ocean beaches.

Keep in mind that most agates aren't of significant monetary value. However, this doesn't affect the fun factor of hunting them.

Depoe Bay

"The Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast," the movers and shakers of Depoe Bay like to call the small community of fewer than 1,500 people, and the opening of the Oregon Whale Watching Center along the town's seawall solidifies those claims. But Depoe Bay is also well-known as a choice agate-hunting location. The small and beautiful harbor, eroded by time and tides from lava beds, is banked by rocky beaches on both sides, and an array of beaches stretch south from Depoe Bay toward Newport and north toward Lincoln City.

Remember that Depoe Bay sits in the Pacific Northwest, so it receives its fair share of rain. The warmest and driest months are from July through September, which are the ideal times to visit.

Good Agate Beaches

According to Oregon State University, the best areas around Depoe Bay to find agates begin some 14 miles north in Lincoln City, which boasts 7½ miles of pristine beach where, in addition to agates, you can also find Jasper or "Oregon jade," and coral. Heading south from Lincoln City, agate hunters prefer Beverly Beach and Moolack Beach to Agate Beach, where agates are buried deep under the sand. Moolack and Beverly are also great spots to find fossilized clam and mollusk shells. In Newport, search for agates at low tide under the bridge of the long north jetty.

When to Go

Yes, it's warmer in summer, but if agates take the top spot on your priority list, head to Depoe Bay in winter. Agate hunters are most likely to build their collection by searching from December to March, especially if they head out just after a storm. The semiprecious gems erode from the beach cliffs, tumble into the ocean where they are polished by the wave action and finally are deposited on the beaches in winter. Many agates pass the summers deep beneath the sand that winter storms help to remove.

Accommodation Options

Those seeking to lodge in luxury after a grueling afternoon of agate hunting could not do better than Pana Sea Ah Bed and Breakfast. Prana Sea Ah is set in Depoe Bay in a large, beachfront home with soaring windows and a spacious deck perfect for whale watching. In addition to the gourmet breakfast, guests can look forward to an outdoor hot tub and home-baked cookies every afternoon. The Pana Sea Ah offers only four rooms, so make your reservation well in advance. If you prefer cheaper or more rustic lodging, look to the options available at Beverly Beach State Park. A campground is sheltered in a forest area, connected by a boardwalk to a wide sandy beach extending from Yaquina Head to the Otter Rock headlands. Beverly Beach offers 128 tent sites and 75 electrical sites as well as furnished yurts.

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About the Author

From Alaska to California, from France's Basque Country to Mexico's Pacific Coast, Teo Spengler has dug the soil, planted seeds and helped trees, flowers and veggies thrive. World traveler, professional writer and consummate gardener, Spengler earned a BA from U.C. Santa Cruz, a law degree from Berkeley's Boalt Hall, and an MA and MFA from San Francisco State. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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